Source: aajtak
The US government's secret space plane, X-37B, has triumphantly returned to Earth after completing a 434-day mission. While specifics are still under wraps, the US Space Force heralds this as a thrilling new phase for the X-37B program.
(Photo: Reuters)
Source: aajtak
General Chance Saltzman, leader of the Space Force, affirmed that Mission 7 has showcased the X-37B's ability to seamlessly accomplish its testing and experimental objectives across various orbits. The mere mention of this plane instills awe worldwide.
Source: aajtak
The launch vehicle of choice is SpaceX's formidable Falcon Heavy rocket, originating from NASA's famed Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The previous record-setting mission saw this plane spend 908 days in space before returning to Kennedy Space Center on November 12, 2022—the longest extraterrestrial sojourn for a robotic plane ever recorded.
Source: aajtak
Boeing crafted this impressive space plane, introducing a new service module—a first for the X-37B program under the US Space Force. Resembling NASA's retired Space Shuttle, albeit significantly smaller at 29 feet compared to the shuttle's 122 feet, the X-37B distinguishes itself as an unmanned robotic marvel.
Source: aajtak
It's rumored that the US Space Force possesses two X-37B vehicles, both Boeing creations, completing six orbital missions collectively known as OTV (Orbital Test Vehicle).
Missions to Date
OTV-1: Launched on April 22, 2010, and lasted until December 3, 2010 (224 days).OTV-2: Operated from March 5, 2011, to June 16, 2012 (468 days).OTV-3: Spanned from December 11, 2012, to October 17, 2014 (674 days).OTV-4: Conducted from May 20, 2015, to May 7, 2017 (718 days).OTV-5: Undertaken from September 7, 2017, to October 27, 2019 (780 days).OTV-6: Ran from May 17, 2020, to November 12, 2022 (908 days).
Source: aajtak
The Space Force and Boeing chiefly regard the X-37B as a platform to explore how payloads operate in the vacuum of space, and later assess their performance on Earth. The Space Force remains mum on the specifics of its orbital domains and overarching mission, earning it the moniker of the enigmatic 'Space Force mystery mission'.
